Sir William Cavendish writes to his wife, Bess (Lady Cavendish), asking her to pay a London man for oats they bought from him.

William St. Loe writes to his wife, Bess (Lady St. Loe), from Windsor asking after her well-being, as he has not heard from her for some time. Relates news of her friends at court; and how he gave his horse to the queen when she desired it of him. Also, the almoner (of Eton) has said that 'no gentleman's children in England shall be better welcome or better looked unto than our boys'.

William St. Loe writes to his wife, Bess (Lady St. Loe), in reply to a letter of hers, describing his suits in London and anticipating that he will be with her in the next week. He adds a flirtatious subscription.

William St. Loe writes to his wife, Bess (Lady St. Loe), from London, complaining of the cost of staying at court; asks her to send towels and other things; advises her on the use of horses at Chatsworth; and describes how the queen has complained about his previous absence from court. He mentions an 'extreme pain in my teeth'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to let her know of his safe arrival at Wingfield. He forwards letters from his son Gilbert Talbot, and hopes to be with Bess at Chatsworth the next day.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking her for her letter, and for venison and puddings she sent. He describes a conversation he had with the queen (Elizabeth I), in which she hinted at her trust in him, which he suspects to be connected with Mary Queen of Scots (for whom custodianship has yet to be determined). He hopes to be with Bess, his 'greatest joy', for Christmas. The plague rages in London and the queen therefore intends not to go to Greenwich for Christmas as was previously planned. Lady Frances Cobham wishes Bess were there. He's been up late playing cards in the Privy Chamber. In a postscript, he asks Bess to tell his daughter Mary to write to him.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes an affectionate letter from court to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with various news: acknowledging receipt of her letter and mapping his movements; reports uncertainty about the situation with Mary Queen of Scots, then (in a postscript) that the latter will come to Tutbury to his charge; and on suits of 'leases in reversion' against which he is defending his lands. Lord (John) Sheffield is dead and Lord (Henry) Paget is soon to follow.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes briefly from Wingfield to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to let her know of his health and that 'I will not suffer the gout to settle himself in me'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, accusing him of forgetting 'your none [a pet name for herself]', as he has not sent the plumber she requested and the provision for beer and ale have been so poor of late. She mentions 'a letter of all the news I received', which she asks him to return once he has read it. Also enclosed are 'some lettuce and butter'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, letting him know that the wine he sent is no good, suggesting they get someone else to buy it before it is undrinkable. She also discusses details regarding several servants of their household.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking her for her letters, which he likes so well 'they could not be amended' and he has forwarded them to his son Gilbert (Talbot). He mentions a recent letter containing sensitive information, which he burned according to her instructions. He also describes a conversation with 'this lady' (presumably Mary Queen of Scots) concerning the sending of letters.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to say that he is sorry to hear she is unwell and he thinks it long since he has seen her. He plans to travel to London soon.

Henry Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regrettably reporting a squabble between some of his servants which has resulted in a sword duel and the death of one of them. Bess forwards the letter to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, expressing her own sentiments in a postscript to him (and asking that he 'return this').

Henry Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), and her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, from Padua, with a report of he and his brother-in-law Gilbert Talbot's travels in Europe; asking to 'know your honours' pleasures, either for our further travel, abode here, or return'.

Gilbert Talbot writes to his father, George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury), and his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), reporting that he and his brother-in-law, Henry Cavendish, have arrived safely in Padua. He assures them that since 'we are now well settled in so convenient a place [. . .] we doubt not but to employ the time that we tary here according to your honours' expectation of us'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), asking her for advice regarding the appointment of one Anthony Barlow as a pursuivant. He also asks her to keep her promise to be with him 'within a fortnight at the furthest', and therefore to let him know when to send her horses.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to confirm his receipt of a flagon, 'conserve of roses' and '34 dozen [woolen cloths]', 20 of which he has delivered to Mary Queen of Scots, who thanks Bess for them. He also writes that he plans on sending 'one up with my tame stag [a horse] if you will have any letters up in haste'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife and 'sweetheart', Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking God for sending her to him in his 'oldest years'. He returns a letter by Elizabeth Wingfield concerning his custodianship of Mary Queen of Scots, which contains rumours 'of this queen's going from me'; and forwards a letter by John Kniveton, so she may hear the rumours 'of the young king'. Thanking her for the 'fat capon', he sends along with the letter 'a pheasant cock'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that he intends to send her horses to bring her to him, 'for I think it long until you come'. One 'Kyrkle the Receivers man' has come for rents, saying Bess called him 'knave' - George tells her, 'I paid the knave your rent'. There is an outbreak of measles in the house and his 'colic is grievous'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), and confirms receipt of 'the letter of your girl's hand' (that is, penned by a female servant of Bess's) that sets out her requests for supplies. Shrewsbury lists the various goods he sends in response: a book, a dozen pigeons, plate (basins, ewers and trenchers), a biliment (that is, a kind of French hood or head-dress worn by women, often richly elaborate) which cost twenty-one pounds, pheasant poults or chicks, venison pasties, beer, ale, boxes of comfits (that is, preserved sweets such as sugar-plums or sugared almonds), lemons and oranges.